Backlog
Tuesday night, I was having a good conversation with Gabe online when Jake showed up. We went to Mahogany, which I'd never been to before. Was very crowded that night. Jake talked to some people that he knew for a short bit, then we miraculously found a table to seat ourselves at. He bought me drinks, which is always a good way to not only get on my good side in the here-and-now, but also a good way to get me to be more friendly. Talked for a while, though I didn't feel like I had much of value to add to the conversation. Went back to his place whereupon I elicted decidedly the most surprised expression I've seen in years from Samantha, who was playing Scrabble at the time. She cancelled it quickly, though, which was the most amusing part. I've noticed her expressions do that. It's amusing and unique. Stayed there a little while, but not too long. Only had three White Russians beforehand, so I wasn't overly social. Sean is living with Jake now, which is just really bizarre in a way I can't quite define but which I think I approve of. Got back late and only got a few hours of sleep.
The day before Thanksgiving, my mom drove up to help me find a car. We went to the Honda lot first, as the Honda Civic was the primary contender for the spot. The salesperson there wasn't particularly good at his job (if you ask me; then again, I'm not an easily approached customer) and the selection on the lot wasn't very good. Found one Civic that might've worked out, though it was a little high for my monthly budget needs (remember, I didn't have a car note AT ALL, so I was going to be hitting my finances with a nuclear bomb). Went to the Toyota dealer next where we ended up with a much better salesperson who seemed quite willing to work with our budget. The only car really available to us (we knew this beforehand) was the Toyota Corolla CE. There were two Corollas in that range on the lot, one being a black base model and the other being black sport model. I test drove the white one and it handled a lot better than the Civic. I decided that car would be the best of the options I had available. The guy was good at his job and I got all of the information that I needed and he pitched the car well enough. I had already decided that it was going to be the one and I've gotten good enough at reading salestalk that I not only understand what's being said, but why it's being said and how my responses will be interpreted. He did a good job and he asked me about my experiences with the Honda Civic and how it compared. I respect a salesperson that accumulates feedback. In the end, I chose the Toyota Corolla, proving that I'm not one of a trio of drag queens on a transcontinental journey.
There wasn't much room for haggling as it's very much a seller's market around here because of hurricane damages. Managed to get $2000 trade-in on the Ford, which is $2000 more than I think it's worth but $1000 less than the repairs that were put into it before I got it. Paid about $15.5k in the end. He kept trying to convince me that I couldn't get the monthly bill as low as I wanted it through Vista, but I did. Rather than his proposed $269/mo for 72 months at 6.99%, I got $269/mo for 66 months at 4.99%. Was targeting $250/mo for 60 months at 4.99%, but I guess this is close enough. After a LOT of back-and-forth about how payment was going to be arranged between Vista and Toyota of Hattiesburg, they finally got everything sorted out. Went and got the insurance adjusted (monthly note only went up about $25) and then went back and picked up the car and handed over the title to the Ford. The guy that handles the financing stuff had a nightmare of a time with getting his printer to print properly and I found it amusing. We got the car and went to get the license plate. After that, I took my mom out to eat at Lonestar, which I hadn't been to since I ate there with Ben's parents. Like with most restaurants I've been to lately, I found the selection limited and common. The food took a long time to come out and we were both very hungry and quite tired. Food was mediocre.
Went back to my apartment after that and checked online activities and quickly burned a CD for my mom. We then departed for the Coast. My dad looked over the car when I arrived as did my brother. Shortly after I got in, Jeremy called and I went over to his place. I watched them (Leslie and Daniel) play Star Wars Battlefront II for a bit, accidentally tore the shorts Jeremy was wearing, and watched him try to get his network functional. A horrible mishap in the making of a series of Irish Car Bombs led to the running jokes for the night. Eventually all hope of playing a three-person game of Command and Conquer: Zero Hour was lost and I played Jeremy one-on-one. I lost soundly. Got home late, but not as late as I could've gotten home. Called Jeremy to let him know we'd have to meet up again the next day bacuse I'd forgotten something at his place that I had originally intended to pick up. Went to bed and crashed hard. Woke up around 11ish the next morning, having gotten about 12 hours of sleep. Thanksgiving lunch was the same as usual. The consumption of pies was a little less pronounced, though. I acquired lots of food for the return to Hattiesburg. Jeremy called and he stopped by on his way back from his parents' house. He looked at the new car and whatnot and talked to my brother about motorcycles. After loading up the car, we went to Jeremy's place and played more C&C:ZH. I lost both games. Soundly. Very much wanted to take up Jeremy's offer for sushi, but I really had to get back to my apartment to get some sleep for Black Friday.
So yes, I'm now the owner of a white, 2006 Toyota Corolla CE. While I was out getting milk last night (this morning), I picked up some car cleaning supplies. I want this car to look ridiculously new for a ridiculously long time. Cleaning my car at Ben's parents' house in Vicksburg during the Katrina evacuation taught me that cars can't be left to their own devices. This vehicle must be maintained. Would be nice if I made a little more money so that I could funnel some more into it. So many expensive things I want to buy. Was outbid on an ebay auction by $2. That's awful. Need a nice computer chair, need a new computer, need a new camera, need need need. Want want want. I missed saving $100 on the Rebel XT yesterday. Hoping for a good package deal on the HP a1250n. Can't do anything until I balance my budget, though. I can't seem to keep anything static long enough to acquire a comfortable level of security.
The day before Thanksgiving, my mom drove up to help me find a car. We went to the Honda lot first, as the Honda Civic was the primary contender for the spot. The salesperson there wasn't particularly good at his job (if you ask me; then again, I'm not an easily approached customer) and the selection on the lot wasn't very good. Found one Civic that might've worked out, though it was a little high for my monthly budget needs (remember, I didn't have a car note AT ALL, so I was going to be hitting my finances with a nuclear bomb). Went to the Toyota dealer next where we ended up with a much better salesperson who seemed quite willing to work with our budget. The only car really available to us (we knew this beforehand) was the Toyota Corolla CE. There were two Corollas in that range on the lot, one being a black base model and the other being black sport model. I test drove the white one and it handled a lot better than the Civic. I decided that car would be the best of the options I had available. The guy was good at his job and I got all of the information that I needed and he pitched the car well enough. I had already decided that it was going to be the one and I've gotten good enough at reading salestalk that I not only understand what's being said, but why it's being said and how my responses will be interpreted. He did a good job and he asked me about my experiences with the Honda Civic and how it compared. I respect a salesperson that accumulates feedback. In the end, I chose the Toyota Corolla, proving that I'm not one of a trio of drag queens on a transcontinental journey.
There wasn't much room for haggling as it's very much a seller's market around here because of hurricane damages. Managed to get $2000 trade-in on the Ford, which is $2000 more than I think it's worth but $1000 less than the repairs that were put into it before I got it. Paid about $15.5k in the end. He kept trying to convince me that I couldn't get the monthly bill as low as I wanted it through Vista, but I did. Rather than his proposed $269/mo for 72 months at 6.99%, I got $269/mo for 66 months at 4.99%. Was targeting $250/mo for 60 months at 4.99%, but I guess this is close enough. After a LOT of back-and-forth about how payment was going to be arranged between Vista and Toyota of Hattiesburg, they finally got everything sorted out. Went and got the insurance adjusted (monthly note only went up about $25) and then went back and picked up the car and handed over the title to the Ford. The guy that handles the financing stuff had a nightmare of a time with getting his printer to print properly and I found it amusing. We got the car and went to get the license plate. After that, I took my mom out to eat at Lonestar, which I hadn't been to since I ate there with Ben's parents. Like with most restaurants I've been to lately, I found the selection limited and common. The food took a long time to come out and we were both very hungry and quite tired. Food was mediocre.
Went back to my apartment after that and checked online activities and quickly burned a CD for my mom. We then departed for the Coast. My dad looked over the car when I arrived as did my brother. Shortly after I got in, Jeremy called and I went over to his place. I watched them (Leslie and Daniel) play Star Wars Battlefront II for a bit, accidentally tore the shorts Jeremy was wearing, and watched him try to get his network functional. A horrible mishap in the making of a series of Irish Car Bombs led to the running jokes for the night. Eventually all hope of playing a three-person game of Command and Conquer: Zero Hour was lost and I played Jeremy one-on-one. I lost soundly. Got home late, but not as late as I could've gotten home. Called Jeremy to let him know we'd have to meet up again the next day bacuse I'd forgotten something at his place that I had originally intended to pick up. Went to bed and crashed hard. Woke up around 11ish the next morning, having gotten about 12 hours of sleep. Thanksgiving lunch was the same as usual. The consumption of pies was a little less pronounced, though. I acquired lots of food for the return to Hattiesburg. Jeremy called and he stopped by on his way back from his parents' house. He looked at the new car and whatnot and talked to my brother about motorcycles. After loading up the car, we went to Jeremy's place and played more C&C:ZH. I lost both games. Soundly. Very much wanted to take up Jeremy's offer for sushi, but I really had to get back to my apartment to get some sleep for Black Friday.
So yes, I'm now the owner of a white, 2006 Toyota Corolla CE. While I was out getting milk last night (this morning), I picked up some car cleaning supplies. I want this car to look ridiculously new for a ridiculously long time. Cleaning my car at Ben's parents' house in Vicksburg during the Katrina evacuation taught me that cars can't be left to their own devices. This vehicle must be maintained. Would be nice if I made a little more money so that I could funnel some more into it. So many expensive things I want to buy. Was outbid on an ebay auction by $2. That's awful. Need a nice computer chair, need a new computer, need a new camera, need need need. Want want want. I missed saving $100 on the Rebel XT yesterday. Hoping for a good package deal on the HP a1250n. Can't do anything until I balance my budget, though. I can't seem to keep anything static long enough to acquire a comfortable level of security.